Scaffold



- July 8, 1958 A. H. SYMONS 2,842,403

SCAFFOLD Filed March 8, 1956 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July s, 1958 A, H,SYMQNS 2,842,408

' SCAFFOLD Filed March 8, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ARTHUR H. SYMONS,DECEASED BY CONTINENTAL ILLINOIS NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF 0ICAGQ, EXECUTOR BY M WATTORNEY United States Patent C) SCAFFOLD ArthurH. Symons, deceased, late of River Forest, 111.,

by Continental Illinois National Bank and Trust Company of Chicago,executor, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Symons Clamp & Mfg. Co., acorporation of Delaware Application March 8, 1956, Serial No. 570,383 4Claims. 01. so4--4o The present invention relates generally to scaffoldsfor use in connection with building construction and other work. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to that type of scaffold which isadapted to be assembled and dismantled at the place of use, is formedfor the most part of metallic tubes, and as its principal parts orcomponents comprises: (1) a pair of similar upstanding end frames whichare spaced an appreciable distance apart and are in the form ofvertically extending side members and a plurality of vertically spacedcross members between the side ,members; (2) an inner pair of crosseddiagonally extending braces which extend between the ends of the innerside members of the end frames; (3) an outer pair of crossed diagonallyextending members which extend between the ends of the outer sidemembers of the end frames; (4) connections whichextend between, andserve detachably to connect, the ends of the diagonally extending bracesand the ends of the side members of the end frames and consist of (a)lugs which are connected to, and project laterally from, the ends of theside members of the end frames and embody upstanding stud-like elementsin laterally spaced relation with the ends of the side members, and (b)vertically extending sleeves which are connected to the ends of thediagonally extending braces and are shaped and adapted to fit snuglyaround the upstanding stud-like elements on the laterally projectinglugs; and (5) ring-shaped elements which extend around, and are movablymounted on, the upper ends of the side members of the end frames and areadapted when moved into a certain position to lock the sleeves on theends of the diagonally extending braces in connected relation with theupstanding studlike elements on the aforementioned laterally projectinglugs.

One object of the invention is to provide a scaffold which is animprovement upon, and has certain inherent advantages over, previouslydesigned scaffolds of the aforementioned type and including that ofcopending United States patent application Serial No. 325,353, filed onDecember 11, 1952, and is characterized by the fact that the ring-shapedelements for releasably locking the vertically extending sleeves on theupstanding stud-like elements are of new and improved construction andoperate in a novel manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a scaffold of the lastmentioned character and in which the ringshaped locking elements arepositioned directly over the upper ends of the stud-like elements on thelaterally projecting lugs, have associated therewith means whereby theyare held against longitudinal sliding movement with respect to the endsof the side members of the end frames while at the same time they arepermitted to rotate freely relatively to the end frame side members,have notches in their outer marginal or peripheral portions, and areadapted to be rotated back and forth between anunlocked position whereinthe notches are in vertical alignment with the upstanding stud-like ele-Patented July s, 1958 ments and permit the vertically extending sleeveson the ends of the diagonally extending braces to be mounted on orremoved from such elements, and a locked position wherein the notchesare out of vertical alignment or registry with the stud-like elementsand parts of their outer marginal or peripheral portions overlie theupper ends of the sleeves and thus prevent the sleeves from beingdisconnected or removed from said stud-like elements.

A further object of the invention is to provide a scaffold of the lastmentioned type and character and in which the means whereby thering-shaped locking elements are held against vertical sliding movementwith respect to the ends of the side members of the end frames while atthe same time they are permitted to rotate freely relatively to the sidemembers, consist of upper and lower pins which are connected to, andproject radially outwards from, the ends of the side members of the endframes and are arranged in straddled relation with the ring-shapedlocking elements.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a scaffold that isof generally new and improved construction and is capable of beingassembled and dismantled with facility and also produced at acomparatively low cost.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages andcharacteristics of the present scaffold will be apparent from aconsideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which arehereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at theconclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a partof this specification ordisclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote correspondingparts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a plan View showing in assembled form a scaffold embodyingthe invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of the assembled scaffold;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective showing in detail the construction and designof the detachable connections that are illustrated in Figures 1 to 3,inclusive, and normally extend between the ends of the diagonallyextending braces and the ends of the side members of the end frames, andalso showing the construction and design of the ringshaped elementswhich serve as releasable locking means for the connections; and

Figure 5 is a vertical section of the parts that are shown orillustrated in Figure 4.

The scaffold which is shown in the drawings constitutes the preferredform or embodiment of the invention. It is adapted for use in connectionwith building construction and other work and comprises a pair ofunitary end frames 6, two pairs of cross diagonally extending braces 7,ring-shaped locking elements 8, an upper horizontally extending brace 9,and a lower horizontally extending brace 10. The end frames and thebraces are preferably in the form of steel tubes in order that thescaffold as a whole is comparatively light in weight. It is contemplatedthat the scaffold will be assembled and dismantled at the site or placeof use and that when the scaffold is not in use it will be stored inknocked down form.

The end frames 6 extend vertically and are spaced apart an appreciabledistance. They are normally maintained in rigid spaced apart relation bythe diagonally and horizontally extending braces as hereinafterdescribed and consist of vertically extending side members 11, uppercross members 12, lower cross members 13 and intermediate cross members14. The side members 11 of the end frames have open ends and are held infixed or rigid spaced apart relation by the cross members 12, 13 and 14.The upper ends of the side members are provided with verticallyextending rods 15. The lower'ends of these rods fit snugly within theupper ends of the side members 11 and are secured in place byhorizontally extending bolts 16, and the upper ends of the rods areadapted, as shown in Figure 3, to fit within the lower ends of the sidemembers of superjacent end frames. The upper cross members 12 extendhorizontally and have the ends thereof welded to the upper extremitiesof the side members 11. The lower cross members 13 are disposed beneath,and in parallel relation with, the upper cross members and have theirends welded to the lower ends of the side members 11 at points v thatare comparatively small distances above the lower end extremities of theside members, The intermediate cross members 14 are disposed between,and in parallel relation with, the upper and lower cross members andhave their ends welded to the central portions of the side members 11.When the scaffold is in its assembled position, as shown in Figures 1and 2 of the drawings, the cross members of the end frames 6 may beutilized to support horizontal planks or boards (not shown) as wellunderstood in the art. The ends of the side members of the end frames 6are provided with laterally projecting lugs 17. The inner sides of theselugs are provided with arcuate recesses 18 which are shaped conformablyto, and receive, the adjacent portions of the ends of the side membersof the end frames. Preferably the lugs 17 are fixedly secured in placeby welding them to the ends of the side members 11. The upper portionsof the lugs 17 are provided with integral upstanding stud-like elements19 and these are tubular and form parts of the hereinafter describeddetachable connections between the diagonally and horizontally extendingbraces and the ends of the side members of the end frames. As best shownin Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, the tubular elements 19 are circularin cross section and are spaced a small distance away from the adjacentportion of the side members of the end frames. The upper end surfaces ofthe lugs 17 define upwardly facing shoulders 20 at the lower ends of thetubular elements 19. The lugs 17 On the upper ends of the side members11 of the end frames 6 are preferably located a small distance beneaththe upper cross members 12 and the lugs on the lower ends of the sidemembers are preferably located a small distance beneath the lower crossmembers 13. The lugs 17 are disposed at right angles to the variouscross members of the end frames and are arranged so that the lugs on theside members of one of the end frames face or extend in the direction ofthose on the side members of the other end frame when the two end framesare in proper or operative position.

When the scaffold is in its normal or assembled position one pair ofcrossed diagonally extending braces 7 extends between the inner sidemembers of the two end frames and the other pair of crossed diagonallyextending braces extends between the outer side members. The ends of thediagonally extending braces 7 are provided with vertically extendingcylindrical sleeves 21 which are adapted to fit snugly around theupstanding tubular elements 19. These sleeves are preferably welded tothe ends of the diagonally extending braces 7 and are substantially thesame in height as the tubular elements 19 (see Figures 4 and 5). Inassembling the scaffold the sleeves are positioned above the tubularelements 19 and then shifted downwards into encircling and laterallyinterlocked relation with the elements. The sleeves 21 together with thetubular elements 19 constitute simple and readily detachable connectionsbetween the ends of the crossed diagonally extending braces 7 and theends of the side members 11 of the end frames 6. When the sleeves are intheir operative or connected position the lower ends thereof restdirectly on the shoulders 20 at the upper ends of the lugs 17.

The ring-shaped locking elements 8 of the scaffold extend closely aroundthe upper ends of the side members 11 of the end frames 6 and arepositioned directly above the upper ends of the tubular stud-likeelements 19 on the laterally projecting lugs 17. They are formed ofsteel or any other suitable rigid material and are of such externaldiameter that their outer marginal or peripheral portions overhang oroverlie the portions of the upper ends of the stud-like elements thatare nearest or directly opposite to the upper ends of the end frame sidemembers 11. Associated with the ring-shaped locking elements 8 are upperpins 22 and lower pins 23 which are connected to, and extend radiallyoutwards from, the ends of the side members 11, are arranged in closelystraddled relation with the elements 8, and serve to prevent verticalsliding movement of the locking elements relatively to the ends of theside members while at the same time permitting the elements to rotatefreely relatively to the ends of the side members 11. The inner ends ofthe upper and lower pins 22 and 23 are disposed within radiallyextending holes 24 in the ends of the end frame side members 11 and arepreferably secured in place by so-called drive fits. The ringshapedlocking elements 8 are provided in the outer marginal or peripheralportions thereof with arcuate notches 25 and are adapted to be rotatedback and forth between an unlocked position wherein the notches 25 arein vertical alignment with the upstanding stud-like elements 19 andpermit the vertically extending sleeves on the ends of the diagonallyextending braces 7 to be mounted on or removed from said stud-likeelements, and a locked position wherein the notches are out of verticalalignment or registry with the stud-like elements and parts of theirouter marginal or peripheral portions overlie the upper ends of thesleeves and thus prevent the sleeves from being disconnected or removedfrom said stud-like elements (see Figure 4). As shown in the drawings,the arcuate notches 25 are of such size or so proportioned that when thering-shaped locking elements are in their unlocked position, thevertically extending cylindrical sleeves 21 are permitted to be readilymounted on and removed from the stud-like elements 19. In connectionwith assembly of the scaffold the end frames 6 are manually or otherwisetemporarily held in proper spaced apart relation and then thering-shaped locking elements 8 are turned or rotated into theiraforesaid unlocked position. Thereafter, the diagonally extending braces7 are positioned between the ends of the side members 11 of the endframe 6 and are manipulated so that the vertically extending sleeves 21at the ends thereof are positioned directly above and in registry orcoaxial relation with the stud-like elements 19. After such manipulationof the diagonal braces 7, the sleeves 21 are shifted downwards intoencircling relation with the elements 19 and until their lower ends reston, and are supported by, the upwardly facing shoulders 20. As soon asthe sleeves 21 are properly positioned with respect to the stud-likeelements 19 the ring-shaped locking elements 8 are turned or rotatedinto their locked position wherein as previously pointed out they servepositively to lock or hold the sleeves 21 in place with respect to thestud-like elements. When it is desired to dismantle the scaffold, it isonly necessary to turn the ring-shaped locking element 8 into theirunlocked position wherein as previously pointed out the arcuate notches25 are positioned in registry with the upper ends of the stud-likeelements 19. As soon as the locking elements have been rotated intotheir unlocked position, the sleeves 21 on the ends of the diagonalbraces 7 are free so that they may be shifted upwards out of connectedrelation with the stud-like elements.

The upper horizontally extending brace 8 and the lower horizontallyextending brace 9 assist the crossed diagonally extending braces 7 inholding the end frames 6 in fixed spaced apart relation. As shown inFigures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the upper brace 8 extends between theupper end of the outer side member of one of the end frames and theupper end of the inner side member of the other end frame, and the lowerbrace 9 extends between the lower end of the inner side member of theone end frame and the lower end of the outer side member of the otherend frame. The ends of the braces 8 and 9 are provided with verticallyextending depending pins 26. The upper ends of these pins are Welded tothe ends of the horizontally extending braces and the lower ends of thepins are adapted when the horizontally extending braces are in theiroperative position as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings to fitwithin the subjacent tubular elements 19 (see Figures 4 and 5). The pins26, together with their respective tubular studlike elements 19,constitute readily detachable connections for connecting thehorizontally extending braces to certain ends of the side members 11 ofthe end frames 6. In connection with assembly of the scaffold the pins26 are positioned above the proper tubular elements and are then shifteddownwards so as to interlock them with such elements. The ring-shapedlocking elements 8 due to their particular external diameter do notinterfere With insertion and removal of the lower ends of the pin 26with respect to their respective stud-like elements 19.

It is contemplated that the ends of the side members 11 of the endframes 6 will have additional lugs and upstanding tubular stud-likeelements in diametrically opposite relation with the lugs 17 and theelements 19 in order that they may be connected to adjoining diagonallyand horizontally extending braces when the scaffold is used to form acomplete scaffolding.

The herein described scaffold is essentially simple in construction anddue to the particular design and mode of operation of the ring-shapedlocking elements 8 may be readily and quickly assembled and dismantled.The general design and construction of the scaffold as a whole permitsthe scaffold to be produced at a comparatively low cost.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details setforth since they may be modified within the scope of the appended claimswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patentis:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a scaffold comprising a pair ofspaced apart upstanding unitary end frames consisting of verticallyextending side members and horizontally extending cross members betweenthe side members and having on the ends of the side members thereoffixedly mounted laterally projecting lugs provided with rigidlyconnected upstanding stud-like elements in spaced relation with theadjacent portions of the side members, braces extending between the endsof the side members of the end frames and having at the ends thereoffixedly connected vertically extending sleeves shaped to fit snuglyaround the stud-like elements, adapted to be connected to the elementsby positioning them thereabove and then shifting them downwards intoencircling relation with said elements, and further adapted to bedisconnected from the stud-like elements by shifting them upwards out ofencircling relation therewith, and ring-shaped locking elementsextending loosely around the ends of the end frame side members,positioned directly above the upper ends of the stud-like elements,having associated therewith means whereby they are held against verticalsliding movement with respect to the ends of the end frame side memberswhile at the same time they are permitted to rotate freely back andforth relatively to said side members, embodying notches in their outermarginal portions, and adapted to be rotated back and forth between anunlocked position wherein the notches are in vertical alignment with thestud-like elements to permit the sleeves on the ends of the braces to bemounted on or removed from said stud-like elements and a locked positionwherein the notches are out of vertical alignment with the stud-likeelements with parts of their said outer marginal portions overlying theupper ends of the sleeves around the stud-like elements to prevent saidsleeves from being disconnected from said stud-like elements, and bracesextending between the end frames for maintaining the latter in theirspaced apart relationship.

2. A scaffold according to claim 1 and in which the means whereby thering-shaped locking elements are held against vertical sliding movementwith respect to the ends of the end frame side members while at the sametime they are permitted to rotate freely back and forth relatively tothe side members, consist of upper and lower horizontally extending pinswhich are fixedly connected to, and extend radially outwards from, theends of the side members of the end frames and are arranged in straddledrelation With said ring-shaped locking elements.

3. A scaffold according to claim 1 in which the upstanding stud-likeelements are tubular and are provided with internal cylindrical boresfor removable reception therein of respective anchoring pins provided oncertain structural members of the scaffold and in which the overallradial extent of the ring-shaped locking elements is less than theradial distance of said cylindrical bores from the axes of saidvertically extending side members whereby, in any position of saidring-shaped locking elements said bores remain unobstructed forreception therein of said anchoring pins.

4. A scaffold according to claim 1 in which the upstanding stud-likeelements are tubular and are provided with internal bores, saidhorizontally extending braces having vertically disposed anchoring pinsat their opposite ends designed for removable reception in saidcylindrical bores, the radial extent of the ring-shaped locking elementsbeing less than the radial distance of said bores from the axes of saidvertically extending side members whereby, in any position of saidring-shaped locking elements, said bores remain unobstructed forreception therein of said anchoring pins.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS574,463 Tisch Jan. 5, 1897 1,272,860 Saindon July 16, 1918 2,613,114Hagan Oct. 7, 1952 2,720,430 Meng et al Oct. 11, 1955 2,765,200 MoyerOct. 2, 1956

